essay structure for othello

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William Shakespeare

Welcome to the LitCharts study guide on William Shakespeare's Othello . Created by the original team behind SparkNotes, LitCharts are the world's best literature guides.

Othello: Introduction

Othello: plot summary, othello: detailed summary & analysis, othello: themes, othello: quotes, othello: characters, othello: symbols, othello: literary devices, othello: quizzes, othello: theme wheel, brief biography of william shakespeare.

Historical Context of Othello

Other books related to othello.

• Full Title: The Tragedy of Othello, the Moor of Venice
• When Written: c. 1603
• Where Written: England
• When Published: 1622
• Literary Period: The Renaissance
• Genre: Tragedy
• Setting: Venice and Cyprus
• Climax: The murder of Desdemona, by Othello
• Antagonist: Iago

Extra Credit for Othello

Moor or less? In Elizabethan England, the term "Moor" could be used to refer to a wide range of non-European persons, including black Africans, North Africans, Arabs, and even Indians. References to Othello's origins throughout the play are contradictory and ambiguous Iago calls Othello a "Barbary horse" (1.1.110); Barbary was an area in Africa between Egypt and the Atlantic Ocean. Roderigo , however, calls him "thick-lips" (1.1.65-6), suggesting that he may come from further south on the African continent. Brabantio calls him "sooty" (1.2.70); Othello, along with numerous other characters, refers to himself as "black." It is impossible to know now exactly what Shakespeare or his audience would have thought a "Moor" is.

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Detailed Othello Essay Plans for Exam Preparation

Josh Lambourne

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Othello Essay Plans: A Comprehensive Guide for A-Level Exam Preparation

This document provides detailed Shakespeare Othello essay plans for exam preparation , covering key themes, characters, and plot points. It offers structured approaches to analyzing relationships, betrayal, fatal flaws, and the conflict between good and evil in the play.

• Focuses on critical scenes and character development • Includes relevant quotes to support essay arguments • Addresses major themes like jealousy, manipulation, and identity • Provides frameworks for discussing narrative techniques and Iago's strategies

Othello's Fatal Flaw

This section outlines an essay plan focusing on Othello's fatal flaw - his excessive trust in Iago.

The plan starts by establishing Othello's trusting nature and how Iago exploits this weakness. It then traces the consequences of this flaw throughout the play.

Quote : "The Moor already changes with my poison"

The essay structure follows the progression of Iago's manipulation and its effects on Othello's psyche and actions.

Highlight : The plan emphasizes how Othello's fatal flaw leads to the tragic conclusion of the play.

Key points include: • Othello's initial trust in Iago • Iago's manipulation techniques • Othello's growing jealousy and self-doubt • The violent consequences of Othello's misplaced trust

Example : Othello's repeated use of the phrase "Honest Iago" demonstrates his fatal flaw in action.

This essay plan provides a comprehensive approach to analyzing Othello's character development and the theme of trust in the play.

Turning Point and Climax in Othello

This essay plan focuses on Act 3, Scene 3 as the turning point of the play, leading to its climax.

The plan begins by identifying the key moments in this scene that mark the shift in Othello's mindset and the play's trajectory.

Quote : "Ha! I like not that"

The essay structure follows the progression of events in this crucial scene, highlighting its impact on characters and plot.

Highlight : The plan emphasizes the importance of the handkerchief as a motif in this turning point scene.

Key points include: • The beginning of Othello's doubt • Iago's successful manipulation • The significance of the handkerchief • The scene's effects on other characters, particularly Desdemona

Example : The phrase "My Lord is not my lord" illustrates the dramatic change in Othello's character.

This essay plan provides a detailed approach to analyzing the narrative techniques in Othello and the play's dramatic structure.

Relationships in Othello

This essay plan examines the evolution of relationships throughout the play, particularly focusing on Othello and Desdemona's marriage.

The plan begins by highlighting the loving relationship between Othello and Desdemona at the start of the play. It then traces how Iago's manipulation causes this relationship to deteriorate.

Quote : "I love the gentle Desdemona"

The essay structure progresses through Iago's increasing influence on Othello, showing how it leads to Othello's growing suspicion and eventual violent actions against Desdemona.

Highlight : The plan emphasizes the tragic arc of Othello and Desdemona's relationship, from love to death.

Key points include: • Initial love between Othello and Desdemona • Iago's manipulation and its effects on Othello • Othello's growing jealousy and self-doubt • The final tragic actions leading to both characters' deaths

Example : The handkerchief incident is cited as a crucial plot point in the deterioration of the relationship.

This essay plan provides a solid foundation for discussing the theme of relationships and betrayal in Othello .

Conflict and Dramatic Structure in Othello

This essay plan examines the role of conflict in driving the plot and creating dramatic tension in Othello.

The plan begins by identifying Iago's initial conflict with Othello and how it sets the play in motion. It then traces how this conflict affects other characters and relationships throughout the play.

Quote : "I am not what I am"

The essay structure follows the escalation of conflict from the opening scene to the dramatic final scene.

Highlight : The plan emphasizes how the conflict between Iago and Othello serves as the driving force of the play's plot.

Key points include: • Iago's initial revelation of his true nature • The impact of the conflict on Othello and Desdemona's relationship • The turning point scene (Act 3, Scene 3) as a crucial moment in the conflict • The tragic consequences of the conflict in the final scene

Example : The phrase "An old black ram is tupping your white ewe" illustrates how Iago uses racist language to fuel conflict from the very beginning of the play.

This essay plan provides a solid foundation for discussing the dramatic structure of Othello and analyzing its effective opening, turning point, and ending.

Good and Evil in Othello

This essay plan explores the theme of good and evil in Othello, focusing on Othello's transformation throughout the play.

The plan begins by establishing Othello's initial positive qualities and high regard among others. It then traces his descent into jealousy and violence under Iago's influence.

Quote : "Keep up your bright swords, for the dew will rust them"

The essay structure follows Othello's character arc from a respected general to a jealous murderer.

Highlight : The plan emphasizes how Othello's fatal flaw of trusting Iago leads to his transformation from good to evil.

Key points include: • Othello's initial positive qualities • Iago's manipulation and its effects • Othello's growing jealousy and violent tendencies • The tragic consequences of Othello's actions

Example : The contrast between Othello's early declaration of love for Desdemona and his later violent actions illustrates his dramatic transformation.

This essay plan provides a comprehensive approach to discussing how good and evil are presented in Othello .

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A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Othello

By Dr Oliver Tearle (Loughborough University)

Othello is one of Shakespeare’s five best-known and widely studied tragedies, along with Hamlet , Macbeth , King Lear , and Romeo and Juliet . But as is so often with a well-known text, we don’t know this one nearly as well as we think we do: Othello has more in it than jealousy, the ‘green-eyed monster’, and (implied) racial hatred.

These themes are central to the play’s power, but one of the triumphs of Othello , as the analysis below attempts to demonstrate, is how well Shakespeare weaves different themes and elements together at once. Before we analyse some of these themes, it might be worth recapping the plot of this great tragedy which has inspired everything from opera (Verdi’s Otello ) to a rock musical ( Catch My Soul , from the 1960s).

Othello : plot summary

The main action of the play takes place in Venice, as the play’s subtitle, The Moor of Venice , makes clear. Iago is ensign or flag-bearer to the great military general, Othello, who is a Moor (i.e. a north African Muslim). Iago expects to be promoted to the rank of lieutenant, but instead Othello passes him over in favour of Cassio. For this reason (at least he claims), Iago declares that he hates Othello and will wreak vengeance on both Othello and Cassio.

His first plot is to try to prevent Othello’s marriage to Desdemona, the beautiful daughter of Brabantio, by telling Brabantio that Othello and Desdemona have already slept together even though they are not married. Brabantio summons Othello before the court, but Othello convinces him that he and Desdemona have not yet lain together, and the two of them are married.

Next, in Cyprus on a military campaign, Iago gets Cassio drunk and arranges a brawl, which he makes sure Othello witnesses; Othello has to strip the recently promoted Cassio of his commission. Iago then sets about convincing Othello that Cassio is having an affair with Desdemona; he tells Cassio to ask Desdemona to put in a good word for him with Othello so he might get his commission back (but with the result that Othello questions why his wife would want to plead for Cassio).

Iago, having got hold of a handkerchief of Desdemona’s, which she’d lost (a gift from Othello), hatches a plan to make Othello think his wife has been sleeping with Cassio. He hides the handkerchief in Cassio’s bedchamber and then tells Othello that Cassio has it.

When Othello asks Desdemona where her handkerchief is, she confesses that she has lost it; meanwhile, Cassio gives it to Bianca, his mistress, little realising that the handkerchief is part of Iago’s grand plan to implicate him in an imaginary affair.

Iago’s plan works, and Othello is convinced that there is something going on between Cassio and Desdemona. He tells Iago to kill Cassio, and he publicly strikes Desdemona, accusing her in front of everyone. Iago then tells Roderigo to kill Cassio, but Roderigo fails, so Iago kills him so nobody will find out about the plan.

Othello, consumed with jealousy, smothers Desdemona to death with a pillow, Emilia (Iago’s wife and Desdemona’s maid) tells Othello that she was the one who found the handkerchief and gave it to her husband; Iago kills her for revealing this, and Othello wounds Iago. Realising he has thrown away the life of an innocent woman he loved dearly, Othello kills himself publicly, Cassio is made governor of Cyprus, and Iago is taken off for punishment.

Othello : analysis

Othello is a play about sexual jealousy, and how one man can convince another man, who loves his wife dearly, that she has been unfaithful to him when she hasn’t. But Shakespeare does several very interesting, and artistically quite bold, things with this basic plot, and the characters he uses to tell the story.

First, he makes his hero noble, but unusually flawed. All heroes have a tragic flaw, of course: Macbeth’s is his ‘vaulting ambition’ , Hamlet’s is his habit of delaying or over-analysing (although the extent to which he actually delays can be questioned ), and so on. But Othello’s tragic flaw, his pride, is not simply noble or military pride concerned with doing the right thing (as a great military man might be expected to have), but a rather self-serving and self-regarding kind – indeed, self-regarding to the point of being self-destructive.

He is willing to believe his innocent wife has been unfaithful to him even though he is, to all intents and purposes, devoted to her. This makes him a more interesting tragic hero, in some ways, because he isn’t a spotless hero with one major blind spot: his blind spot is, in a sense, everyone else but himself.

Second, Shakespeare doesn’t make Iago, the villain, someone whose motives we can understand. Indeed, he goes out of his way to make Iago as inscrutable as possible. If the first rule of creative writing class is ‘show don’t tell’, the second or third rule may well be ‘make your characters’ motivations clear’.

Yet Shakespeare puts into Iago’s mouth several plausible ‘motives’ for wreaking the confusion and chaos that causes Othello’s downfall and Desdemona’s death, and in providing multiple motives, Iago emerges as ‘motiveless’, to use Coleridge’s famous description (Coleridge described Iago as being possessed of ‘ motiveless malignity ’). We cannot be sure why he is doing what he is doing.

But this does not mean that he is not being driven by anything. In Shakespeare’s source material for the play, a novella by the Italian author Cinthio, Iago is straightforwardly evil and devilish, intent on destroying Othello’s life, and with a clear motive. But Shakespeare’s Iago is more dangerous still: a human, with clearly human attributes and intellect, who nevertheless derives great pleasure from causing harm to others purely because … well, because it gives him pleasure.

Part of the genius of Shakespeare’s characterisation of Iago is that he makes him a convincing ensign to Othello, a loyal servant to the Moorish warrior, even while he is plotting Othello’s downfall. He is a villain, but a charming two-faced one. In Harold Goddard’s fine phrase, he is ‘a moral pyromaniac setting fire to all of reality’ (this phrase is quoted enthusiastically by Harold Bloom in his Shakespeare: The Invention Of The Human ).

Othello is also unlike many of Shakespeare’s other great tragedies, with the possible exception of Romeo and Juliet , in that its plot could easily have been co-opted for a comedy rather than a tragedy, where the confusion created by Iago’s plotting is resolved, the villain is punished, and the hero and heroine are reconciled to live happily ever after.

Compare, in this connection, Iago’s role in Othello with that of the villainous Don John in the earlier comedy, Much Ado about Nothing (a play we have analysed here ). Like Iago, Don John wants to wreck the (upcoming) marriage between Claudio and Hero, and sets about convincing Claudio that his bride-to-be cannot be trusted.

But in Much Ado , Hero’s fidelity is proved and Don John’s villainy is exposed, and we have a comedy. Much of Othello proceeds like a comedy that takes a very dark turn at the end, when it becomes apparent that Othello will not be reconciled with Desdemona, and that the sexual jealousy and suspicion he has been made to feel are too deep-rooted to be wiped out.

The whole thing is really, of course, Iago’s play, as many critics have observed: if Othello is the tragic lead in the drama, Iago is the stage-manager, director, and dramatist all wrapped up in one. Writers from Dickens to George R. R. Martin have often sorrowfully or gleefully talked of ‘killing off’ their own characters for the amusement of others; Iago wishes to ruin Othello’s marriage for his own amusement or, in Hazlitt’s phrase, ‘stabs men in the dark to prevent ennui ’.

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2 thoughts on “A Summary and Analysis of William Shakespeare’s Othello”

The racial issue is of paramount importance in this play. The only characters whose view of Othello is not distorted by racial stereotyping are Desdemona and Cassio. Desdemona’s dying words are an attempt to exculpate her husband, and Cassio’s first reaction on learning that he has been crippled thanks to Othello’s jealous suspicions is to exclaim “Dear General, I never gave you cause!” I find no evidence that Othello is a Muslim. We’re told that he was sold into slavery in his childhood; presumably he was raised as a Christian. The “Colour” issue would have been evident in the original performances, since the Moor would certainly have been played in blackface.

I had the great good fortune to see the 2007 production of Othello put on at the Donmar Warehouse with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the title role. It was a wonderful experience…

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Notes || Exam Prep || Character Profiles || Themes || Additional Reading & Videos

This text is included in  Paper 1 . You can find notes and guides for it below.

• Literary Form

Additional Reading & Videos:

• Essay: Homosocial Desire and its Conversion to Homosexual Desire
• Essay: The Symbolic Significance of Desdemona’s Handkerchief
• Essay: Men, Women and War: An Examination of Gender Conflicts within Othello
• Thesis: Courtship, Love, and Marriage in Othello: Shakespeare’s Mockery of Courtly Love
• Essay: Too Gentle: Jealousy and Class in Othello
• Video: Racism in Othello
• Video: The Question of Race in Othello
• Film: Othello (modern-day adaptation, dir. Geoffrey Sax 2001)
• Film: Othello (filmed theatrical production, 1965)

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Othello:‌ ‌Study‌ ‌Guide‌

Welcome to the Othello study guide! Our team of writers has thoroughly explored the play and answered the most crucial questions about it. The author of Othello , William Shakespeare, was the most famous playwright of the late sixteenth and early seventeenth centuries. It affected the play’s themes and setting. Thus, knowing Othello ’s historical context is essential for understanding the tragedy, as you’ll see here. From other articles in the study guide, you’ll learn about the story’s plot, characters, symbols, and more!

🗺️ Othello Study Guide: Navigation

Short summary.

A short summary of the play with overall analysis and pictures that illustrate each act.

Act I Scene 1

A summary and analysis of the first scene of the play. Active themes and characters.

Act I Scene 2

A summary and analysis of the second scene of the play. Active themes and characters.

Act I Scene 3

A summary and analysis of the third scene of the play. Active themes and characters.

Act II Scenes 1-2

A summary and analysis of the first and second scenes of Act 2. Active themes and characters.

Act II Scene 3

A summary and analysis of the third scene of Act 2. Active themes and characters.

Act III Scenes 1-2

A summary and analysis of the first and second scenes of Act 3. Active themes and characters.

Act III Scene 3

A summary and analysis of the third scene of Act 3. Active themes and characters.

Act III Scene 4

A summary and analysis of the fourth scene of Act 3. Active themes and characters.

Act IV Scene 1

A summary and analysis of the first scene of Act 4. Active themes and characters.

Act IV Scene 2

A summary and analysis of the second scene of Act 4. Active themes and characters.

Act IV Scene 3

A summary and analysis of the third scene of Act 4. Active themes and characters.

Act V Scene 1

A summary and analysis of the first scene of Act 5. Active themes and characters.

Act V Scene 2

A summary and analysis of the last scene of the entire play. Active themes and characters.

All the characters from the play explained – from Othello and Desdemona to Iago and Emilia.

Racism, sexism, jealousy, and deception explored as themes of Othello .

Symbols & Literary Analysis

All the key symbols (the handkerchief, The Willow Song, and more) analyzed along with the play’s imagery and language.

What Shakespearean Tragedy is and what it represents for the time period explained.

Important Quotes

The most important quotes by Iago, Othello, and others examined.

Essay Examples & Topics

Original ideas to write an essay or research paper on Othello .

Author’s Biography

Who William Shakespeare was and how he influences English literature and plays in particular.

Othello: Q&A

The‌ ‌most‌ ‌popular‌ ‌questions‌ ‌about‌ ‌the‌ ‌play‌ ‌answered‌ ‌with‌ ‌explanations.‌

🔑 Othello: Key Facts

⚔️ historical context of othello.

William Shakespeare was the favorite of both monarchs who ruled at the time, Elizabeth I and James I. Most of his famous plays were written at that time. Othello was written around 1603, during the Elizabethan era and Shakespeare’s significant tragic period.

Since the mid-fifteenth century and until the beginning of the seventeenth century, the religious tensions between Christian Venice and Muslim Ottoman Empire were ongoing. Shakespeare situated Othello in the latest conflict, known as the War of Cyprus. It began with the order of Sultan Selim II to invade the island, which the Republic of Venice controlled. The Ottoman Empire spent several months invading the capital of Cyprus, Nicosia, successfully.

The events of Othello are placed one year after the invasion of Cyprus. The author’s choice to set the events of the play during this period is significant. The Battle of Lepanto ended with the defeat of the Ottomans. It restored Christian control over the region. As a former Muslim, Othello proves his loyalty to Christianity. The Ottoman-Venetian war continued into the eighteenth century. The domestic issues in Othello mirrored the conflict between the two states.

Othello was created using not only historical facts. Shakespeare based his play on the prose tale Un Capitano Moro by Cinthio. The original story tells about a Moorish general, whose ensign tells him about the unfaithfulness of the general’s wife. Shakespeare complemented the story by adding different characters and setting the actions against the military conflict.

The question of whether Othello is black is still up for debate. In the play, he’s been referred to as “thick lips” and “old black ram,” which sound like racial descriptions. Let’s see first what a Moor is in Othello .

The word Moor used in the play now refers to the Islamic Arabic inhabitants. However, at that time, people used the term broadly and applied it to African Americans. Although Othello was referred to as a “black Moor,” the meaning in the context was hard to grasp. Early modern Europeans maintained a color prejudice from two perspectives. First, the climate and the exposure to the sun resulted in darkened skin. Second, the discrimination came from the story of Noah’s cursed son Ham, who was “black and loathsome.” However, in the last example, it is more referred to his behavior and sins rather than his skin color.

So, why is Othello called the Moor in the play? Even though the main character never provided the information of his birthplace, we assume that he is indeed dark-skinned. By calling Othello the Moor, Iago emphasized their difference in skin color. His “blackness” is used symbolically in the play. Actors at the time would darken their skin with coal to indicate the Moorish roots. Yet, the audience would perceive the main character’s dark skin as representing his evil nature.

Before Shakespeare, actors would perform wherever they could. Then, the Common Council passed the law that required the licensing of theaters in London. Performances in Elizabethan England’s theaters took place during the day to ensure good lighting. One peculiar characteristic of Shakespeare’s plays is that they were published after the performance rather than before. Most of the time, plays were a record of what happened on stage instead of what should have happened.

🕵️ Origins of the Play

As previously mentioned, Othello was based on the prose tale Un Capitano Moro . The story tells about an unnamed Moor who married Desdemona, despite her parents’ disapproval. Moor is appointed as the commander of the troops sent to Cyprus, and he takes his wife with him. Commander’s ensign falls in love with Desdemona, who only notices her husband. The ensign then imagines that she loves the captain and plots to revenge himself on both. He hints at Moor that his wife is unfaithful, to which the commander asks for proof.

The ensign steals Desdemona’s handkerchief and puts it on the captain’s bed. He comes back to return it to the commander’s wife but runs away as he sees the Moor. The commander asks his wife to show the handkerchief, but she cannot. Then, he plots with the ensign to kill the captain and the wife. The ensign wounds the captain on the leg with the sword. Then, he and the Moor beat Desdemona to death with sand-filled stockings and make it appear as the falling roof had killed her.

The ensign accuses Moor of killing Desdemona as they are back in Venice. His wife’s family kills the commander. In the end, the ensign is arrested and died after torture.

Shakespeare dramatized the original story. The antagonist, Iago, had different motives for destroying Othello. Roderigo was a means for Iago to create his wicked plans and demonstrate his ability to manipulate. Besides, Shakespeare changed the story ending significantly. Othello murders his wife alone, face-to-face while struggling with his love for her.

🎞️ Most Famous Movie Adaptations of Othello

William Shakespeare is the most filmed playwright of all time. His play was adapted into movies countless amount of times. Here, we’ve listed some of the well-known and worth watching Othello movies:

Othello, 1952

Main cast: Orson Welles The movie was filmed for three years, as the production would stop periodically to raise funds to continue production. The original plot is closely followed in the film. However, some parts were restructured. The original material was also shortened to a little more than 90 minutes of the movie, then 3 hours. Despite the difficulties during production, the Othello movie received a high evaluation from critics.

Othello, 1965

Main cast: Laurence Olivier, Maggie Smith Although Laurence Olivier appeared in blackface on screen, his performance was described as spectacular. The Othello film used enlarged duplicates of the stage setting. The movie kept most of Shakespeare’s original play with no change of the scene order. However, there were some lines cut. This is the only movie in which the whole Othello cast was nominated for Oscars.

Othello, 1995

Main cast: Laurence Fishburne, Kenneth Branagh, Irène Jacob This movie is the first to be released by a major studio with an African-American playing the main character. Laurence Fishburne’s Othello was highly evaluated by critics. The movie is a straightforward adaptation of Shakespeare’s play with a lot of great performances. Specifically, the performance of Kenneth Branagh in Othello was positively reviewed and described as outstanding.

Othello, 2001

Main cast: Eamonn Walker, Christopher Eccleston, Keeley Hawes The movie is a modern adaptation of the original Shakespeare’s play. The characters of the movie are relatively up-to-date characters. Iago is a corrupt police detective, Othello is a black policeman, who is about to become a Commissioner, Desdemona is a wealthy white woman. The adaptation of Othello of 2001 also suggests that the relationship between Iago and Othello is of repressed homosexuality.

Othello, 2008

Main cast: Carlo Rota, Matthew D. Matteo The present movie is one of Othello ’s adaptations. To keep the runtime under two hours, the director had to cut the material. That resulted in a quite rushed and hard-to-understand story. The movie also had differences in settings. However, the performance of the actors received positive comments from the audience.

Othello, 2015

Main cast: Hugh Quarshie, Lucian Msamati This is the video version of the theater performance of Othello . The production is the first in history performance to cast a black actor to play Iago. The performance of the actors is outstanding. It also reveals Othello’s readiness to torture Iago to provide the details of Desdemona’s infidelity.

Othello, 2017

Main cast: Jupitora Bhuyan, Arup Baishya The movie is an Indian adaptation of Shakespeare’s play. It is an Assamese language drama film. As claimed by a screenplay writer, this is the first Assamese movie to have a call girl as the lead female character.

Thanks for reading the article! We hope it was helpful for you. For more information about the play’s plot, characters and themes, check the links above. Share the page with your peers who may be interested in Othello as well.

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Structure of Tragedies

One good thing about studying a play is that it is usually neatly divided up into different Acts and scenes.

• Othello is divided up into Five Acts, and these are then further divided into scenes.
• These helpfully delineate the action.
• Therefore, we may conceive of plays having the following structure:

• Exposition – where the plot is set in motion.
• Rising action – where the plot is developed.
• Climax – where the plot reaches its fullest point of tension.
• Falling action – where the plot is unravelled.
• Dénouement – where the plot is solved and concluded.

Falling action

• In some plays these are equally proportioned across the Acts, but in the structure of Othello , the rising action dominates the play.
• The climax comes when Othello confronts Desdemona and kills her.
• The falling action and dénouement happen very quickly in a tragedy like Othello , with them only occurring in the final scene of the play.

• Othello , however, is a tragedy and it follows the typical action of a tragedy.
• Tragedy (a word derived from the Greek: tragōidia) is a form of drama based on human suffering that invokes an accompanying catharsis in audiences.

• Catharsis means a kind of ‘purging of the soul’ that happens when we see a tragedy.
• The idea is that if we go through this purging, we become better people at the end of it, because we will know how not to behave in such circumstances, and can apply that on our own daily lives.
• Tragedies take audiences to the limits of comfort because they deal with the very worst aspects of human life.

Tragedy in Othello

Other useful concepts of tragedy (usually brought into our understanding of tragedy through the lens of Greek theories about drama) to bear in mind are the following:

Miscalculation

• Othello may be seen as a tragedy of miscalculation: in this kind of play the protagonist's error of judgement has tragic consequences.
• In Othello , this miscalculation is manipulated by the antagonist Iago.

Peripeteia and hamartia

• Tragedy is characterised by ‘seriousness’ (meaning that the subject matter is serious) and involves a great person who experiences a reversal of fortune.
• This reversal of fortune is sometimes called Peripeteia .
• The tragic hero often endures hamartia , which is often translated into English as either a ‘character flaw’, or as ‘a mistake.
• Othello’s hamartia is his ability to be easily swayed by the words of another.

Anagnorisis

• Sometimes, a hero first believes that the tragedy is brought about by other external factors, and not their own flaws.
• Towards the end of the play they finally go through a process of recognition of their own mistake.
• In Greek dramatic theory this is called anagnorisis which translates to ‘knowing again’.
• This is when the tragic hero finally realises the error of their ways and the mistakes he or she has made.

• Aristotle, who was one of the key ancient Greek thinkers about tragedy, believed that good tragedies were complex, showed suffering, focused on a moral character and contained spectacle.
• The spectacle was usually the multiple deaths at the end.
• Tragedies are therefore more than just plays with a ‘sad ending’. They push human experience to its limits.

‘Domestic’ tragedy

• Although the tragedy of Othello takes place in a wider society, it is often seen as an early ‘domestic’ tragedy which occurs within a family unit.
• This predicts the kind of tragedy that would be written later on in literary history in the twentieth and twenty-first centuries.
• That may one reason why Othello feels like a very modern play.

• However, with all of these concepts do not apply them too rigidly or you will be seen to be using them in an unapplied way.
• Aim to mix this classical Greek terminology with your own thoughts and ideas about either love or tragedy in the play.
• Concentrate on the key words of the task in the examination and only use the terms above to support parts of your argument.

Structure of Othello

It may be useful to think of tragedies in a different way to most comedies.

Comedy structure

• They begin in an Old World, which is often ordered and restrictive.
• There then comes a change in that Old World and the characters often rage against it.

Comedy structure cont.

• In order to escape that Old World they move to a Green World (often called this because it was a forest or wood), and in the Green World everything becomes topsy-turvy and upside-down.
• It is only after the chaos of this Green World is resolved that a New World may begin again, often because the main characters become married and there is hope for the future.

• Tragedies however, still have some of this structure.
• There is usually an Old World to begin with, and in Othello , we may see this as the political and social system in Venice.
• The change in the order that occurs is a mixed-race marriage between Othello and Desdemona.
• It is possible to see from one perspective that their union prompts the chaos which then begins.
• In effect, this is also a kind of Green World but it is much more dangerous and starts to spiral out of control.

• In essence, in tragedy, no easy solution is found to end this Green World and disorder dominates, resulting in the death of the main characters.
• It is only after they have died and been ‘cleansed’ from the world that a New World can begin again.

• Ironically, whereas in Comedy, marriage solves the problems in the play; in a tragedy like Othello , it is marriage which initiates all of the problems.

1.1 Introduction

1.1.1 Specifications

1.2 Background

1.2.1 Shakespeare

1.2.3 Tragedy

1.2.4 Historical Context

1.3 Othello

1.3.1 Setting

1.3.2 Social Issues

2 Act One: Summaries & Themes

2.1 Act and Scene Summaries

2.1.1 Structure

2.1.2 The Exam

2.2 Scene One

2.2.1 Key Events

2.2.2 Key Themes

2.2.3 Key Ideas

2.3 Scene Two

2.3.1 Key Events

2.3.2 Key Themes

2.3.3 Key Ideas

2.4 Scene Three

2.4.1 Key Events

2.4.2 Key Events 2

2.4.3 Key Themes

2.4.4 Key Ideas

3 Act Two: Summaries & Themes

3.1 Scene One & Two

3.1.1 Scene One: Events

3.1.2 Key Events 2

3.1.3 Key Ideas: Love & Tragedy

3.1.4 Scene Two: Events

3.2 Scene Three

3.2.1 Key Events

3.2.2 Key Ideas

4 Act Three: Summaries & Themes

4.1 Key Events

4.1.1 Scene One & Two

4.1.2 Scene Three

4.1.3 Scene Three: Key Ideas

4.1.4 Scene Four

5.1 Scene One

5.1.1 Key Events

5.1.2 Key Ideas

5.2 Scene Two

5.2.1 Key Events

5.2.2 Key Ideas

5.3 Scene Three

5.3.1 Key Events

5.3.2 Key Ideas

6.1 Scene One

6.1.1 Key Events

6.1.2 Key Ideas

6.2 Scene Two

6.2.1 Key Events

6.2.2 Key Ideas

7 Character Profiles

7.1 Major Characters

7.1.1 Othello

7.1.3 Desdemona

7.1.4 Emilia

7.1.5 Cassio

7.2 Minor Characters

7.2.1 Roderigo & Brabantio

7.2.2 Other Characters

8 Key Themes

8.1 Love & Tragedy

8.1.2 Love 2

8.1.3 Tragedy

8.1.4 Tragedy 2

8.2 Other Key Themes

8.2.1 Public versus Private

8.2.2 Appearance & Reality

9 Writing Techniques

9.1 Writing Techniques

9.1.1 Structure

9.1.2 Genre

9.1.3 Form & Language

9.1.4 Language & Imagery

10 Critical Debates

10.1 Criticism & Performance

10.1.1 Shakespeare's Legacy

10.1.2 Traditional

10.1.3 Modern & Contemporary

10.2 Approaches

10.2.1 Feminist Approach

10.2.2 Psychoanalytic Approach

10.2.3 Marxist Approach

11 Approaching AQA English Literature

11.1 Specification A

11.1.1 Specification A

11.1.2 Love Through the Ages

11.2 Specification B

11.2.1 Specification B

11.2.2 Aspects of Tragedy

12 Issues of Assessment

12.1 The Exams

12.1.2 Mark Scheme

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Home — Essay Samples — Literature — Plays — Othello

Essays on Othello

🎭💔✍️ othello essay: dive into the drama.

Othello, the magnificent Shakespearean tragedy, is like a rollercoaster ride of emotions! 😱💔 Exploring this timeless masterpiece in an essay can unlock a world of insights and ignite your imagination 🔥. By delving into the depths of Othello's themes, characters, and plot twists, you can unravel the complexities of human nature and society. It's an opportunity to showcase your analytical skills and showcase your love for literature. So, buckle up and embark on an Othello essay adventure!

Othello Essay Topics 📝

Othello argumentative essay 🤔💬.

An argumentative essay on Othello requires you to take a stance and defend it with solid evidence from the play. Some intriguing topics to consider:

• Is Othello a victim of racism or his own insecurities?
• Did Iago's evil nature drive Othello to his tragic downfall?
• Should Desdemona be held responsible for her fate?

Othello Cause and Effect Essay 🌪️🤯

In a cause and effect essay, you'll explore the ripple effects of certain actions or events in Othello. Here are some captivating topics to ponder:

• The consequences of Iago's manipulation on Othello's relationships.
• How jealousy leads to destruction in Othello's world.
• The impact of societal norms on Othello's tragic fate.

Othello Opinion Essay 🗣️😮

Opinion essays allow you to express your personal viewpoint on specific aspects of Othello. Here are some thought-provoking topics to spark your imagination:

• Is Othello's jealousy justified or exaggerated?
• Should Othello have trusted Desdemona despite the rumors?
• What role does gender play in the tragedy of Othello?

Othello Informative Essay 📚📖

Informative essays aim to educate readers about various aspects of Othello. Here are some enlightening topics to enlighten your audience:

• The historical context of Othello: Shakespeare's portrayal of race and society.
• The symbolism of the handkerchief in Othello and its significance.
• The evolution of Othello's character throughout the play.

Othello Essay Example 📑

Othello thesis statement examples 📜💡.

Here are a few thesis statement examples to inspire your Othello essay:

• Thesis: Othello's tragic downfall is a result of his vulnerability to manipulation by Iago due to his insecurities about his race and age.
• Thesis: The handkerchief symbolizes trust, fidelity, and betrayal in Othello, highlighting the fragility of relationships.
• Thesis: Othello's jealousy is fueled by societal expectations and gender roles, leading to the tragedy that unfolds.

Othello Essay Introduction Examples 🌟

Here are some introduction paragraph examples for your Othello essay:

• Introduction: Othello, a play filled with love, deception, and revenge...
• Introduction: In the realm of Shakespearean tragedies, Othello stands as a poignant exploration of love, jealousy, and the destructive power of manipulation. As we venture into the depths of this timeless masterpiece, we are transported to a world where trust is fragile, and motives are concealed. Othello's journey, from a celebrated Moorish general to a tragic figure consumed by jealousy, invites us to contemplate the complexities of human emotion and the consequences of unchecked suspicion.
• Introduction: Othello, the Moor of Venice, is a character whose name echoes through the annals of literary history. In our exploration of Othello's tragic tale, we confront issues of race, trust, and the corrosive force of jealousy. As we delve into this gripping narrative, we are challenged to dissect the motives of its characters and the underlying themes that continue to resonate in today's society.

Othello Essay Conclusion Examples 🔚📝

Here are some conclusion paragraph examples for your Othello essay:

• Conclusion: As we bid farewell to the tragic world of Othello, we are left with a profound exploration of human nature, jealousy, and the consequences of deceit. Shakespeare's timeless masterpiece continues to captivate and haunt our hearts, reminding us of the enduring power of storytelling.
• Conclusion: In the final act of Othello, we witness the devastating aftermath of jealousy and manipulation. The tragic downfall of Othello, Desdemona, and others serves as a cautionary tale, reminding us of the destructive potential of unchecked emotions. As we bid farewell to this tale of love and betrayal, let us carry forward the lessons learned from the characters' fates, recognizing the enduring relevance of Shakespeare's exploration of the human condition.
• Conclusion: Othello, a masterpiece of tragedy, leaves an indelible mark on our understanding of human nature. Through the twists and turns of its plot, we are confronted with the consequences of jealousy and deceit. As our journey through this timeless work comes to a close, let us reflect on the enduring power of literature to illuminate the complexities of the human soul and the fragility of trust.

"Othello" and "O": Comparing Themes of Jealousy and Power

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Misogyny in Othello by William Shakespeare

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Identity in William Shakespeare’s Othello, Moor of Venice

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Desdemona: a Strong and Willful Lady

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1603, William Shakespeare

Play; Tragedy

Othello, Desdemona, Iago, Michael Cassio, Emilia, Roderigo, Bianca, Brabanzio, Duke of Venice, Montano, Lodovico, Graziano, Clown

The play is primarily based on a story from an Italian novella called "Un Capitano Moro" by Cinthio. Shakespeare took inspiration from this source material and adapted it into his own version, adding depth and complexity to the characters and exploring themes of jealousy, betrayal, and manipulation.

In the tragic play "Othello" by William Shakespeare , the story follows the powerful and respected Moorish general, Othello. Othello secretly marries Desdemona, a Venetian woman, despite objections from her father, Brabantio. Othello's ensign, Iago, harboring deep resentment and jealousy, manipulates events to destroy Othello's life. Iago plants seeds of doubt in Othello's mind, insinuating that Desdemona has been unfaithful to him with his lieutenant, Cassio. Consumed by jealousy, Othello becomes increasingly suspicious and tormented by his thoughts. Iago's cunning manipulations lead Othello to believe in the alleged affair, pushing him into a spiral of rage and despair. Othello's doubts intensify, leading him to confront Desdemona and ultimately strangle her in a fit of madness. Upon discovering the truth and Iago's treachery, Othello takes his own life in a moment of devastating realization. The play concludes with Iago's exposure and punishment for his deceitful actions.

The play "Othello" by William Shakespeare is set in the late 16th century, primarily in the city of Venice and later on the island of Cyprus. Venice, a vibrant and cosmopolitan city, serves as the initial backdrop for the story. Its opulent palaces, canals, and bustling streets create an atmosphere of grandeur and sophistication. The Venetian setting reflects the cultural diversity of the time, with characters from various backgrounds and ethnicities. As the plot progresses, the setting shifts to the island of Cyprus, where Othello is stationed with his troops. Cyprus offers a contrasting environment to Venice, characterized by its remote and isolated nature. The island's rugged landscape and military camp create a tense and confined atmosphere, amplifying the dramatic events that unfold. Both settings play a significant role in the play's themes and conflicts. Venice represents the veneer of civilization and societal expectations, while Cyprus represents the raw emotions, passions, and darker aspects of human nature. The contrasting settings highlight the clash between appearances and reality, order and chaos, and ultimately contribute to the tragedy that unfolds in "Othello."

1. Jealousy and Betrayal: The theme of jealousy lies at the heart of the play, as Iago manipulates Othello's trust and fuels his insecurities, leading to tragic consequences. Betrayal is also explored as characters deceive one another for personal gain, highlighting the destructive power of envy and deceit. 2. Racism and Prejudice: Othello, a Moorish general, faces discrimination and racial prejudice throughout the play. Shakespeare examines the destructive effects of racism, as Othello's character is systematically undermined and ultimately destroyed by the racist assumptions and stereotypes held by others. 3. Appearance versus Reality: The theme of appearance versus reality is prevalent as characters wear masks of virtue and honesty while concealing their true intentions. Othello's tragic downfall is a result of his inability to discern truth from falsehood, emphasizing the dangers of misjudgment and manipulation. 4. Love and Obsession: The play explores various forms of love, from passionate romance to obsessive possessiveness. The intense love between Othello and Desdemona is contrasted with Iago's twisted obsession with destroying their happiness, shedding light on the complexities of human relationships. 5. Gender and Power: Shakespeare examines gender dynamics and the societal expectations placed upon women. Desdemona's character challenges traditional gender roles, while Emilia, Iago's wife, highlights the subjugation of women and the consequences of male dominance.

1. Imagery: Shakespeare skillfully uses vivid imagery to create powerful visual and sensory impressions. For example, in Act 1, Scene 1, Iago describes Othello and Desdemona's elopement as "an old black ram / Is tupping your white ewe," employing the contrasting images of a black ram and a white ewe to convey the scandalous nature of their relationship. 2. Soliloquy: Soliloquies allow characters to express their inner thoughts and feelings to the audience. One notable example is Othello's soliloquy in Act 5, Scene 2, where he reflects on his decision to kill Desdemona, saying, "It is the cause, it is the cause, my soul," revealing his internal struggle and justifying his actions. 3. Foreshadowing: Shakespeare employs foreshadowing to hint at future events and build tension. In Act 3, Scene 3, Desdemona tells Othello, "The heavens forbid / But that our loves and comforts should increase / Even as our days do grow," foreshadowing the impending tragedy and the deterioration of their relationship. 4. Irony: Irony is used to create a contrast between what is expected and what actually occurs. For instance, when Iago says, "I am not what I am," in Act 1, Scene 1, it is an ironic statement, as he presents himself as trustworthy while plotting Othello's downfall. 5. Symbolism: Shakespeare employs symbolism to convey deeper meanings. The handkerchief, a symbol of fidelity, becomes a significant object in the play. Its loss and subsequent manipulation by Iago symbolize the erosion of trust and the unraveling of Othello's marriage.

In 1995, director Oliver Parker released a film adaptation of "Othello" starring Laurence Fishburne as the titular character. Fishburne's portrayal emphasized Othello's dignity and inner conflict, earning critical acclaim. Another notable film adaptation is Orson Welles' 1952 version, where Welles himself took on the role of Othello, showcasing his powerful presence on screen. "Othello" continues to be performed on stage worldwide. Notable theatrical productions include the Royal Shakespeare Company's 2015 production, featuring Hugh Quarshie as Othello, and the 2007 Broadway revival, with Chiwetel Ejiofor in the lead role, receiving critical acclaim for their compelling interpretations. Othello's character has also been explored in literary adaptations and reimaginings. For example, in 2001, author Sena Jeter Naslund wrote the novel "Ahab's Wife," where she includes a fictional encounter between Othello and the protagonist. These adaptations offer different perspectives and delve into the complexity of Othello's character. Othello's story has inspired numerous musical compositions. One notable example is the opera "Otello" by Giuseppe Verdi, which premiered in 1887. Verdi's powerful music captures the intense emotions of the characters and brings Othello's tragic tale to life.

1. Literary Influence: "Othello" has had a profound influence on subsequent works of literature. Its exploration of themes such as jealousy, betrayal, and the destructive power of manipulation has inspired countless writers. For example, Toni Morrison's novel "A Mercy" draws parallels to "Othello" in its exploration of race and power dynamics. The play's tragic elements and psychological depth have also influenced works like James Joyce's "Ulysses" and D.H. Lawrence's "Women in Love." 2. Psychological Exploration: Othello's tragic descent into jealousy and manipulation has made the play a subject of psychological analysis. The character's inner conflict and the manipulation he falls victim to offer rich material for the study of human psychology, particularly in relation to themes of trust, self-doubt, and the destructive nature of unchecked emotions. 3. Social Commentary: "Othello" addresses issues of race, identity, and prejudice, making it a powerful tool for social commentary. The play's examination of racial stereotypes and the destructive consequences of discrimination still resonate today. Othello's position as a black man in a predominantly white society has been explored and analyzed in the context of race relations, colonialism, and social injustice. 4. Performance and Theater: "Othello" has had a lasting impact on the world of theater and performance. The character of Othello presents a unique and complex role for actors, requiring both physical presence and emotional depth. The play's themes and dramatic tension continue to captivate audiences, leading to numerous adaptations, productions, and reinterpretations on stage. 5. Language and Imagery: Shakespeare's masterful use of language and vivid imagery in "Othello" has had a lasting impact on the English language. Phrases like "green-eyed monster" and "the beast with two backs" have become part of the cultural lexicon. The play's powerful speeches and soliloquies have been studied, quoted, and admired for their beauty and poetic expression.

1. "Othello" is believed to have been first performed around 1604. While the exact date is unknown, it is widely believed to have premiered at the Court of King James I in London. The play was met with great success and has since become one of Shakespeare's most acclaimed tragedies. 2. "Othello" has contributed several phrases and expressions to the English language. One notable example is the term "the green-eyed monster," used to describe jealousy. This phrase has become a popular way to convey the destructive nature of envy. Additionally, the phrase "wear my heart upon my sleeve" originates from the play, referring to openly displaying one's emotions. 3. Traditionally, the character of Othello has been played by a white actor in blackface makeup. This casting practice has faced criticism and controversy over the years, as it perpetuates racial stereotypes and limits opportunities for actors of color. In recent times, there has been a growing movement towards authentic casting, with actors of African descent portraying the role to offer a more nuanced and authentic representation of Othello's racial identity.

"Othello" remains a timeless and significant work in literature, making it an important subject for essays and academic discussions. Shakespeare's masterful exploration of themes such as jealousy, deception, race, and power continues to resonate with audiences across generations. The character of Othello, a Moorish general in a predominantly white society, raises critical questions about racism, discrimination, and the manipulation of prejudices. Additionally, the play delves into the destructive nature of jealousy and how it can lead to tragic consequences. Writing an essay about "Othello" allows scholars to analyze the complexity of characters like Iago, whose malevolent machinations drive the plot. It offers opportunities to discuss the portrayal of women in the play and the theme of women's agency in a patriarchal society. Furthermore, exploring the play's language, literary devices, and poetic techniques showcases Shakespeare's genius as a playwright. By grappling with the moral dilemmas and psychological depth of the characters, an essay on "Othello" opens doors to deeper insights into human nature, society, and the enduring power of Shakespeare's storytelling.

"She loved me for the dangers I had passed, And I loved her that she did pity them. This only is the witchcraft I have used." "I kissed thee ere I killed thee — no way but this, killing myself to die upon a kiss" "Reputation, reputation, reputation! Oh, I have lost my reputation! I have lost the immortal part of myself, and what remains is bestial" "Men in rage strike those that wish them best" "But I will wear my heart upon my sleeve for daws to peck at: I am not what I am"

1. Chandler, M. (1987). The Othello effect. Human development, 30(3), 137-159. (https://www.karger.com/article/Abstract/273174) 2. Shakespeare, W. (2019). othello. In One-Hour Shakespeare (pp. 231-302). Routledge. (https://www.taylorfrancis.com/chapters/edit/10.4324/9780429262715-11/othello-william-shakespeare) 3. Neill, M. (1989). Unproper beds: Race, adultery, and the hideous in Othello. Shakespeare Quarterly, 40(4), 383-412. (https://www.jstor.org/stable/2870608) 4 . Neely, C. T. (1977). Women and Men in" Othello";" what should such a fool/Do with so good a woman?". Shakespeare Studies, 10, 133. (https://www.proquest.com/openview/91053b700d876bd2b3be478cb40742b1/1?pq-origsite=gscholar&cbl=1819311) 5. Cipriani, G., Vedovello, M., Nuti, A., & Di Fiorino, A. (2012). Dangerous passion: Othello syndrome and dementia. Psychiatry and clinical neurosciences, 66(6), 467-473. (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1111/j.1440-1819.2012.02386.x) 6. Siegel, P. N. (1953). The Damnation of Othello. PMLA, 68(5), 1068-1078. (https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/pmla/article/abs/damnation-of-othello/F3193C55450F83F4EFACB0DDF5983B0E) 7. Poulson, C., Duncan, J., & Massie, M. (2005). “I Am Not What I Am”–Destructive Emotions in an Organizational Hierarchy: The Case of Othello and Iago. In The Effect of Affect in Organizational Settings (Vol. 1, pp. 211-240). Emerald Group Publishing Limited. (https://www.emerald.com/insight/content/doi/10.1016/S1746-9791(05)01109-0/full/html) 8. Bristol, M. D. (1990). Charivari and the Comedy of Abjection in" Othello". Renaissance Drama, 21, 3-21. (https://www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/abs/10.1086/rd.21.41917258?journalCode=rd) 9. Nowottny, W. (1954). Justice and love in Othello. University of Toronto Quarterly, 21(4), 330-344. (https://www.utpjournals.press/doi/abs/10.3138/utq.21.4.330) 10. Braden, W. S. (1990). The Properties of" Othello,". Philosophy and Literature, 14(1), 186-187. (https://muse.jhu.edu/pub/1/article/417219/summary)

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Othello - Essay Samples And Topic Ideas For Free

Othello is a tragedy by William Shakespeare, exploring themes of jealousy, betrayal, and racism. Essays on “Othello” could delve into character analyses, thematic explorations, and the play’s historical and social context. They might analyze the play’s treatment of race and the character of Othello as a tragic hero. Discussions could also explore the play’s modern-day relevance, adaptations, and its reflection of, or comment on, the societal norms and racial attitudes of both Shakespeare’s time and today. A substantial compilation of free essay instances related to Othello you can find at PapersOwl Website. You can use our samples for inspiration to write your own essay, research paper, or just to explore a new topic for yourself.

Role and Character of Iago in Othello

In Othello by William Shakespeare, Iago a power hungry ancient drives the plot through his cruel and manipulative ways. In the play Othello and Desdemona are happily married, Othello gives Cassio a promotion to lieutenant, he chooses Cassio over Iago and gives Iago a more trusted and honorable job. Through manipulation Iago is able to bring the downfall of every character he pleases. Iago uses subtle cruelty to manipulate other characters into doing heinous acts which may of otherwise seemed […]

Women’s Role in Othello

Othello presents us with three female leads; Desdemona, Emilia, and Bianca. The way the play is worded implies woman as somewhat slanderous and adulterous and yet in the beginning depicts women mostly as virtuous. All these characters are implied to be whores through the play. During Act 2, Scene 2, Othello’s wife is being referred to as “a maid that paragons description and wild fame” and that “she excels the quirks of blazoning pens”. This states that she is so […]

Iago: the Main Antagonist

In the play Othello by William Shakespeare, the main antagonist Iago guides the audience through his path of deception to justify his revenge towards Othello. As a result of Iago being humiliated and disenfranchised by Othello, he takes from Othello what he values most; the security he feels in Desdemona's untainted love and commitment. Iago justifies his action though: his jealously of Cassio being appointed as lieutenant instead of him, the misconception he has that Othello had sex with his […]

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Misogyny and Violence in Othello

William Shakespeare's play “Othello” makes it clear that women have been vulnerable to male slander and assault for ages. Othello is a story of domestic abuse and male violence. Male violence remains a tragedy for many girls and women. Many victims of intimate partner violence will recognize their experiences in this play. The terrifying transformation of a beloved into an aggressor, the closing off of escape routes, the urgent assertion of fidelity. The #MeToo movement opens up a new way […]

Othello Manipulation Essay

Manipulation is all around us; we frequently do not notice it because it is hidden very well. Humans manipulate others in order to get their requests, they expect them to reveal their flaws to use it against them. In Othello, Iago demonstrates he is the master of manipulation over all characters who had formerly trusted and confined him. Shakespeare’s Iago effectively showcases how humans can use others weaknesses to serve their demands which causes them to expose their faults. Shakespeare […]

Shakespeare: Obedience and Powerless in Women

In Hamlet and Othello, Shakespeare criticizes the feminine issues that were present in his time, bringing awareness to the standard roles and ideal expectations of women by characterizing them in a space of being obedient and powerless. As women are portrayed as having ideal feminine values such as chastity and passiveness, the frailty of women is also brought to the surface. On the other hand, Shakespeare also seems to be suggesting that internal destruction is generated in the sense that […]

Theme of Jealousy in Iago, Roderigo, and Othello’s Characters

Shakespeare explores the theme of jealousy in Othello through Iago,Roderigo, and Othello. Iago starts off the jealousy theme in Othello when he gets jealous of Cassio. Othello puts Cassio as his 2nd in command while he signed Iago to be his ensign which means third in command. Iago then goes crazy and starts plotting to ruin Othello’s marriage and get Cassio fired. He then starts putting words in Othello’s head and starts to make him question everything. “O, beware, my […]

Racism and Racial Prejudice in Othello

In the book, Othello, by William Shakespeare, we see a big impact of racism and racial prejudice. Othello shows a lot of this and how it gets in the way by restraining love in society. He is a black man who is also a great and successful war soldier. He dedicates himself to serve society's goals by fighting for his country. Even though, Othello is a Moor, he is the most hardworking and the most respected. When it comes to […]

Imbalance of Power between Men and Women

Social imbalance can be termed as the presence of inequality opportunities as well as rewards for different gender statuses and social function within the society. The act of imbalance can be attributed to various important dimensions that involve cultures, employment opportunities as well as earnings. Furthermore, an aspect of inequality much revolves around power which is primarily discussed in this paper. The power imbalance between men and women in areas such as religion not only occur in western and British […]

Deaths of Characters in Othello

How many people die on Othello? Knowing Shakespeare, he kills off a majority of his characters. In Othello alone, eighty-five point seven percent of the roles die in the end. Whether killed by a sword or strangled out of jealousy, there were no justified reasonings for the deaths. Emilia, Desdemona, and Othello all fall blind to the truth and die because of it. Desdemona, one of Shakespeare's more naive and innocent character, was killed by her own husband in the […]

Reasons of Othello’s Tragedy

Othello's tragedy is a product of not just Iago, but himself. Though Iago may appear to be the primary cause of Othello's downfall, based on how manipulative, evil, and deceptive Iago was throughout the story. It can also be said, after having read the story, Othello's own insecurities were the product of his own self demise. A combination of putting trust into Iago due to male pride, his lack of confidence of Desdemona and the perception of infidelity and racial […]

Was Iago a Real Villain?

The Considering Iago as a "Villain" in  the play Othello, the character Iago plays a main role in the destruction of Othello and all of those around him. People could say that Iago's actions are simply a scheming liar and that he is a purely evil character. Others say Iago's talent for understanding and manipulating the desires of those around him that makes him both a powerful and a compelling figure that represent some greater force. We find soon in […]

Description of Othello’s Character

Othello is the main character in the play Othello by William Shakespeare. He is a well-respected African general in the Venice army and is happily married to Desdemona, a white woman. Othello being African already makes him an outsider and highlights racism in Venice. Throughout this play, there are slurs that have been used to describe Othello, "Moor, is an example of one. Even though Shakespeare did not make race the main theme in the play it is a huge […]

Iago’s Jealousy in Othello

William Shakespeare is prolific for his plays of love, revenge, deceit and jealousy. Among his most celebrated plays is the tragedy Othello, in which the themes of jealousy and deceit play a central role. In Othello, one of his most recognized tragedies was revolving around the central theme of jealousy and deceit. The themes of jealousy and deceit go with love. Love consumes all those who take part in it and in Othello’s case, his love for Desdemona has blinded […]

Literary Devices Used Othello

In Othello by William Shakespeare, Othello considers and thinks about all his actions before going through with them. By analyzing his soliloquies, we can understand his thoughts, and his reasons behind his actions. In act 5 scene 2 the first soliloquy Othello contemplated him killing his wife. This monologue gives you an inside scoop of Othello's thinking process because he doesn't want to kill his wife but feels as if he needs to. Othello makes choices that he might not […]

Lies, Revenge and Betrayal in Othello

Lies are extremely common in our society today, with millions of people masking their true intentions. In Shakespeare's play titled Othello, one of the characters, Iago, is no different and in fact the same as those deceptive individuals in society. Behind his act as a trustworthy friend, Iago is a manipulative and deceptive character creating disorder and causing many mishaps to occur. Iago uses many acts of manipulation to undermine every single character's weaknesses to get exactly what he wants, […]

Insanity Within the Plays of William Shakespeare

William Shakespeare in his many plays and other pieces of literature created some of the most well thought out characters of all time. The characters often had reasons for what they did or what they thought, shedding new light on what it meant to actually be “insane”. The characters’ motives were often shown during his stories, Because of that, Shakespeare, through his use of literature and understanding of the human mind, shaped western culture’s perception of insanity from negative feelings […]

Othello as an Ideal Representation of the Tragic Hero

William Shakespeare's Othello is a clear representation of the downfall of a tragic hero. Set in Venice and Cyprus during the 16th century, Othello, a moor, deals with the manipulative actions of a general of the Venetian army, Iago. Due to losing his desired position of being Othello's lieutenant to another solider Cassio, he plots is revenge in deviousness. Othello becomes persuaded by Iago 's rumors, framing, and miscommunications, causing him to kill Desdemona, his believed unfaithful wife. In realization […]

Sexism in Shakespeare’s Play Othello

"In the book, Othello written by Shakespeare, there is a main theme of sexism present throughout the book, Although the book was written in the 1600s, and there have been great decreases in sexism around the world, many of these ideas and scenarios are still present to this day. Sexism is defined as prejudice, stereotyping, or discrimination, typically against women, on the basis of sex. Sexism has been present for centuries, in many different forms, such as wage gaps, gender […]

Power and Control in Othello

In modern society, there are instances where one person has power over another. It is found in professions, school, and everyday life. What is meant by control is having some sort of influence in the way you act, make money, or are seen by others. This in no way means that someone completely owns another person. Power and control of others can be found by lying to others for benefits, men taking a higher role than women, and higher-ranked people […]

Othello Gullible Essay

The start of the Renaissance marked a time of a creative movement that promoted the greatest artists and creators to come forth and produce the best that their minds could think up. One of these artists that today still hold a position of being greatly respected and admired by the public is William Shakespeare. Shakespeare was a poet, writing over 154 sonnets, and a playwright, and in each of the 37 plays, he was able to “capture the complete range […]

With Love, Violence and Vengeance

Through the twisted minds of human nature, love is shown through acts of violence and vengeance committed by mankind. William Shakespeare's, Othello and Homer’s The Odyssey violence and vengeance are portrayed through jealousy, prejudice, justice, and honor. Their roles are woven throughout these books to portray the idea that love is a violent concept. Violence and vengeance can be found in several ways. It can be expressed physically, verbally, and mentally. Othello shows how envy and jealousy can overpower and […]

Importance of Literary Devices in Othello

This passage highlights Iago's character through the use of diction, imagery, irony, and other instances of figurative language. In this exchange, Iago continues to inconspicuously accuse Desdemona of being unfaithful to Othello and accuse Cassio of being disloyal to his superiors. He inserts various remarks at different times to execute this plan. At the end of this echange, Iago has effectively created an unfaithful and untruthful image of Cassio and Desdemona, and planted a seed of jealousy and doubt in […]

A Short Review of the Othello Play

In Act 1 of Othello, we are introduced to Iago and Roderigo. Iago is upset because Othello gave Cassio the position Iago wanted. Iago felt Cassio was not qualified for the position because he had never been in actual situations unlike Iago. The true colors of Iago are shown because this is the first time the audience has been exposed to the deceitful side of Iago. He talks about only following Othello just so he can turn his back on […]

My Attitude to Othello and Iago

Iago the antagonist within Othello written by William Shakespeare. I am so engaged with Iago because I want to secretly be like him. To get away with all the destruction he exerts. I get bored of the good guys always succeeding. He embodies both attraction and repulsion. The character of dramatic irony gropes us into his story and makes me agree that the most effective villain is one that both attracts and repels, which is why a villain is a […]

Characters in the Play Othello

The play Othello written by Shakespeare in the 1600s takes place in Venice, and Cyprus an island in the Mediterranean Sea. Shakespeare’s tale focuses on love, jealousy, and betrayal. Main characters being; Iago, Othello, Desdemona, Cassio, Bianca, and others. While some of these main characters go through some minor and big changes throughout the play. The character Othello undergoes many changes from start to finish, although some of the other characters in this play have a part in the way […]

A True Reason of Othello Demise

The novel Othello is about a General man named Othello and his wife Desdemona, just trying to be a normal couple, but problems occur when Iago starts to stir things up and starts to put lies in Othello's head. Iago starts to stir things up because Iago wanted to get the rank as lieutenant but Othello thought Cassio deserved it more and gave it to him so Iago wants revenge and wants to mess up Othello's relationship with Desdemona. Iago […]

Racism in Othello

Throughout history, men have the tendency to seek power. They may initially intend on pursuing the greater good, but eventually, pride rules out. And according to Cornelius Tacitus, senator of the Roman Empire, “the lust for power, for dominating others, inflames the heart more than any other passion” (Tacitus). This desire that is stained within our human nature gradually instigates tension between individuals and is largely influenced by race. Therefore, while those who triumph usually become centered, those without, get […]

Othello as an Aristotelean Tragedy

Legendary playmakers, such as Aristotle and Sophocles, held an influential position in the history of theatrical performances. In creating works like Oedipus the King, such experts seemingly knew how to intertwine human emotion with the actions of the narrative. This prowess eventually adopted by other artists led to the creation of some of the greatest plays in history. Interestingly, most of these plays entailed a protagonist, covered in splendor and valor throughout the play. The lead character often gained high […]

Prominent Theme in Shakespeare’s Othello

Within the play "Othello, written by William Shakespeare, the main and prominent theme of the play concerns with Othello's primary flaw, his jealousy. Thus, it is evident within the play the term "The Green-Eyed Monster whom Iago refers as jealousy suggests why The role of jealousy within Othello is focused from his delusional jealousy described as "Othello Syndrome, how his jealousy can resonate with readers and the connection with real-life marriages. In Shakespeare's Othello, he introduces the term of the […]

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How To Write an Essay About Othello

Understanding the play 'othello'.

To write an effective essay about Shakespeare's 'Othello,' it's crucial to have a comprehensive understanding of the play. 'Othello' is a tragedy that explores themes such as jealousy, love, betrayal, and racism. Start by familiarizing yourself with the plot, characters, and Shakespeare's language. It's important to understand the historical and cultural context in which Shakespeare wrote the play. Research the Elizabethan era's attitudes towards race and gender, as these are central themes in 'Othello.' Understanding the play's context and themes will provide a solid foundation for your essay.

Formulating a Thesis Statement

Your essay should be driven by a clear, concise thesis statement. This statement should offer a unique perspective on 'Othello.' You might choose to focus on a character analysis of Othello or Iago, explore the theme of jealousy, or examine the play's treatment of race and ethnicity. Whatever focus you choose, your thesis should guide your analysis and provide a central argument for your essay.

Gathering Evidence from the Play

Once you have your thesis, gather evidence from the play to support your argument. This involves closely reading the text to find relevant quotes, dialogues, and scenes. For example, if you're discussing the theme of betrayal, identify instances in the play where betrayal is evident and examine the consequences of these actions. This evidence will form the backbone of your essay and strengthen your arguments.

Analyzing Shakespeare's Techniques

In your essay, analyze how Shakespeare uses various techniques to convey themes and develop characters. This might include his use of language, imagery, symbolism, and dramatic structure. For instance, explore how Shakespeare uses irony or foreshadowing to enhance the tragic elements of the story. Your analysis should provide insight into how Shakespeare's techniques contribute to the overall meaning and impact of 'Othello.'

Concluding the Essay

Conclude your essay by summarizing the main points of your analysis and restating your thesis. Your conclusion should tie together your analysis and reinforce your overall argument. It's also an opportunity to reflect on the broader significance of 'Othello' in terms of its relevance to contemporary audiences or its place in Shakespeare's body of work.

Reviewing and Refining Your Essay

After writing your essay, review and refine it for clarity and coherence. Check for grammatical and spelling errors, and ensure that your essay flows logically from one point to the next. Consider seeking feedback from peers or instructors to further improve your essay. A well-written essay on 'Othello' should not only demonstrate your understanding of the play but also your ability to engage critically with Shakespeare's work.

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Animal Farm Essay Structure Strips

Subject: English

Age range: 14-16

Resource type: Assessment and revision

Last updated

22 October 2024

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